I. Contest Period 27 hours for all stations, all categories. Operate any portion of the contest period you wish. (Note: Exception for QRP Hilltopper.) II. Objectives The objectives of this contest are for amateurs around the world to contact as many amateurs as possible in the contest period, to promote VHF, to allow VHF operators the opportuni- ty to experience the enhanced propagation available at this time of year, and for interested amateurs to collect VHF Maidenhead grid locators for award credits. III. Bands All amateur radio frequencies on 50 MHz (6 meters) and 144 MHz (2 meters) may be used as authorized by local law and license class. Note exceptions in Rule XI for common repeater frequencies and 146.52 MHz. IV. QSO Alerting Assistance Definition: The use of any technology or other source that pro- vides callsign or multiplier identification along with frequency information about a signal to the operator. This includes, but is not limited to, use of DX Cluster, packet, local, or remote call- sign and frequency decoding technology (e.g., CW Skimmer or Reverse Beacon Network), or operating arrangements involv- ing other individuals. 1. All stations are allowed to use QSO Alerting Assistance. No self-spotting or asking to be spotted is allowed. 2. Stations attempting digital EME or digital meteor-scat- ter QSOs are allowed to spot the callsign, frequency, and sequence only. Caution: To ensure strict compliance with these rules, the adjudication process will include review of real- time and archived transcripts from websites used to coordinate alerting data during the contest period. 3. The use of non-amateur means to effect a QSO is not allowed. This includes use of the telephone, and website posts providing information beyond that of callsign, frequency, and sequence. 4. Rovers may use APRS to announce their location. V. Categories of Competition For all categories: Transmitters and receivers must be locat- ed within a 500-meter diameter circle or within the property lim- its of the station licensee’s address, whichever is greater. 1. Single Operator—All Band. Only one signal allowed at any one time; the operator may change bands at any time. 2. Single Operator—Single Band. Only one signal allowed at any one time. 3. Single-Operator All-Band QRP. There are no location restrictions — home or portable — for stations running 10 watts output or less. 4. Hilltopper. This is a single-op QRP portable category for an all-band entry limited in time to a maximum of 6 continu- ous hours. Backpackers and portables who do not want to devote resources and time to the full contest period are encour- aged to participate, especially to activate rare grids. Any power source is acceptable. 5. Rover. A Rover station is one manned by no more than two operators, travels to more than one grid location, and signs “Rover” or “/R” with no more than one callsign. 6. Multi-Op. A multi-op station is one with two or more oper- ators and may operate 6 and 2 meters simultaneously with only one signal per band. Stations in any category, except Rover and QRP Hilltopper, may operate from any single location, home, or portable. VI. Exchange Callsign and Maidenhead grid locator (4 characters, e.g., EM15). Signal reports are not required and should not be includ- ed in the log entry. VII. Multipliers The multiplier is the number of different grid locators worked per band. A grid locator is counted once per band. Exception: The rover who moves into a new grid locator may count the same grid locator more than once per band as long as the rover is him- self or herself in a new grid locator location. Such change in location must be clearly indicated in the rover’s log. 1. A rover station becomes a new QSO to the stations work- ing him or her when that rover changes grid locator. 2. The grid locator is the four-character Maidenhead grid (e.g. EM15). VIII. Scoring One (1) point per QSO on 50 MHz and two (2) points per QSO on 144 MHz. Work stations once per band, regardless of mode. Multiply total QSO points times total number of grid locators (GL) worked. Rovers: For each new grid locator visited, contacts and grid locators count as new. Final Rover score is the sum of contact points made from each grid locator times the sum of all grid loca- tors worked from all grids visited. Example 1. K1GX works stations as follows: 50 QSOs (50 x 1 = 50) and 25 GLs (25 multipliers) on 50 MHz 35 QSOs (35 x 2 = 70) and 8 GLs (8 multipliers) on 144 MHz K1GX has 120 QSO points (50 + 70 = 120) x 33 multipliers (25 + 8 = 33) = 3,960 total points. Example 2. W9FS/R works stations as follows: From EN52: 50 QSOs (50 x 1 = 50) and 25 GLs (25 multipli- ers) on 50 MHz From EN52: 40 QSOs (40 x 2 = 80) and 10 GLs (10 multipli- ers) on 144 MHz From EN51: 60 QSOs (60 x 1 = 60) and 30 GLs (30 multipli- ers) on 50 MHz From EN51: 20 QSOs (20 x 2 = 40) and 5 GLs (5 multipliers) on 144 MHz W9FS/R has 230 QSO points (50 + 80 + 60 + 40) x 70 multi- pliers (25 + 10 + 30 + 5) = 16,100 total points Announcing: The 2018 CQ World Wide VHF Contest Starts: 1800 UTC Saturday, July 21, 2018 Ends: 2100 UTC Sunday, July 22, 2018 NOTE: Use of APRS by Rovers is permitted for the purpose of announcing their location. 36 • CQ • May 2018 Visit Our Web Site